Man is born broken. He lives by mending. The grace of God is glue. (Eugene O'Neil)

May 2007

May 30, 2007

The understanding we need to be effective in a cross-cultural environment is gained through experience and interaction with diverse people, especially with those who are one in the Lord. To build a healthy
multi-ethnic church, then, you must commit yourself to the pursuit of cross-cultural competence, whether that means becoming proficient in the idiosyncrasies of language or the ins and outs of customs and traditions different from our own. Once acquired, cross-cultural competence allows us to interact in a more informed and effective way with others of varying ethnic or economic backgrounds.

Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s culture is superior to another. Couple it with hate, and racism is born. The term racism itself can be defined as “discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race; the prejudicial belief that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races.” In either case, the problem with racism is that it is much more than a problem; in fact, it is sin. With this in mind, it is unrealistic to expect that racism can be eradicated through government intervention, educational prescriptions, or any number of other, well-meaning reconciliatory attempts of man. As a matter of the heart, it requires a spiritual solution.

Before we can rightly pursue cross-cultural competence, then, we must recognize that both ethnocentrism and racism are concepts foreign to the kingdom of God and therefore to those who are truly God’s children. And to get beyond such things in our own lives and in the church, we must invite the Spirit of God to tear down these strongholds and embrace this fact:

“He, Himself, is our peace, who made both groups [Jews and Gentiles] into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity . . . so that in Himself, He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. . . . So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household.” (Ephesians 2:14–16, 19, addition mine)

May 02, 2007

Sports have a way of connecting diverse people around a common interest or team. But we should ask, Why has the local church been unwilling or unable to do the same, that is, to connect people of varying ethnic and economic backgrounds around the cross of Jesus Christ?

Today in the United States, diverse people have to go to school together, for according to law, our public schools cannot be segregated. We must also work together with those different from ourselves, for the law mandates a workplace free of discrimination. In addition, homes in our neighborhoods must be sold to anyone with the desire and means to purchase, for, again, the law demands it. Yet have you ever stopped to consider that the local church is the only major institution in our society in which segregation is allowable by law, in light of the judicial principle known as the “separation of church and state?” Indeed, the segregation of the church is not only allowable but seems quite acceptable to the vast majority of believers and church leaders throughout the United States who see nothing at all wrong with this picture. Is it not, however, the law of love (Matthew 22:36–40) that should inform us in the matter?

To experience sincere and mutual respect across ethnic and economic divides and in order for the church to walk worthy of its calling (Ephesians 4:2), we will have to develop cross-cultural relationships with others different from ourselves. And to do so, we should move intentionally, humbly, and lovingly toward diverse brothers and sisters in Christ. With this in mind, we would do well to remember the words of the apostle John, who wrote,

"If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this is the commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also." (1 John 4:20–21)